John Caldwell:Kemp suspends south Georgia mayor accused of stealing nearly $65,000 from his town

2025-05-02 03:45:17source:Blake Prestoncategory:News

PINEVIEW,John Caldwell Ga. (AP) — Gov. Brian Kemp has suspended a south Georgia mayor who was indicted on charges that he stole nearly $65,000 from his town.

Kemp on Tuesday issued an order suspending from office Brandon Holt, the mayor of Pineview, until his criminal charges are resolved. Under state law, Holt won’t be paid by the 500-resident town during his suspension.

Holt was arrested in January and indicted in March. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged Holt with 75 counts of theft by taking, saying he took $64,455 from the town’s bank account between June and October, using the mobile payment service Cash App to transfer the money to his personal bank account 75 times.

Holt is free on bail. His lawyer did not immediately return a phone call and email seeking comment Wednesday.

Under the suspension process, a review commission recommends to Kemp whether the charges impact the accused official’s ability to continue in office. In this case, Attorney General Chris Carr, Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller recommended Holt be suspended.

Holt has previously been arrested in Bibb County in 2022 on theft by deception and financial identity charges, WMAZ-TV has reported. In an indictment in that case, Holt is accused of stealing more than $22,000 from Macon Asphalt and sending it to two loan companies. Holt has pleaded not guilty in that case and awaits trial.

More:News

Recommend

NYPD official indicates that Mangione's family did not send in any tips

New York police officials are speaking out about tips in regard to the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealt

Multiple injuries reported after July 4 fireworks malfunction in Utah stadium, news report says

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Several people were injured when fireworks misfired and struck members of the aud

Brooke Burke says women in their 50s must add this to their workouts

Brooke Burke has a word of advice for women in their 50s.The 52-year-old television personality and